Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring product and process quality across automotive and non-automotive manufacturing operations by applying quality assurance and quality control principles, automotive core tools, and structured problem-solving methodologies. This role partners with Engineering, Operations, and Customer teams to drive process capability, support new product launches, manage customer-specific requirements, lead root cause analysis and corrective actions, and ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.

The position monitors quality performance metrics, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and maintains effective control plans and documentation to sustain customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

• Quality Assurance
  :
• Defect prevention, variation/waste reduction, continuous improvement, PDCA, process oriented, auditing.
• Quality Control
  :
• Containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, verification, product oriented.
• Customer Interface / Customer Satisfaction / Customer Specific Requirements
• Automotive Core Tools
  :
• APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) / Control Plan
• FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
• SPC (Statistical Process Control)
• MSA (Measurement System Analysis)
• PPAP (Production Part Approval Plan)
• Warranty Return Analysis

• Commitment to Hengst values and its products and processes.
• Work with Engineering teams to define process parameters and criteria to ensure process capability is effective to meet product and process requirements.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions of quality issues.
• Support new product launches/engineering changes to ensure that quality meets the required standards
• Lead and support continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure control plans and associated documentation are implemented effectively and maintained.
• Direct, influence, monitor, improve, and report on quality-related key performance indicators
• Ensure compliance and assist with adherence to the Quality Management system (IATF
  16949/ISO
  9001)
• Promote the use of and apply customer preferred techniques for continuous improvement such as Lean, Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), Measurement System Analysis, and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)

• 3 or more years of quality engineering experience or equivalent
• Experience using the following quality tools: APQP, SPC, MSA, FMEA, CP, PPAP, DOE, 8D, A3, Fishbone, 5 why, Gage R&R, and Process Capability Study. Read a blueprint and interpret GD&T.
• Quality Systems (IATF
  16949/VDA 6.3 or ISO
  9001) experience.
• Application of lean manufacturing skills

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or equivalent education/experience.
• Ability to prioritize assignments to meet established goals and objectives.
• Strong organizational skills / Detail-oriented.
• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Must possess the ability to work within a team, taking initiative, and being involved.
• Must be adaptable to change and be able to perform in a dynamic environment with constantly changing requirements.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to learn and use new product knowledge and operating procedures.
• Willingness to become certified as a Lead Auditor for IATF
  16949.

This position is located in Camden, South Carolina and will directly report to the Quality Manager.